After he won by a 96-93, 95-94, 95-94 verdict, however, he said that he would be giving the belt back to his opponent in order to ease tensions amidst territorial disputes between the Chinese and Indian governments in the Himalayas.

The strained situation began in June over the mountainous Doklam plateau, a disputed mountainous region on the border of Bhutan, China, and India.

“I don’t want this title. I will give it back to Zulpikar,” said Singh after the ruling. “I don’t want tension on the border. It’s a message of peace. That’s important.”